Carrier for a light emitting device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor light emitting device is mounted on a support substrate. The support substrate is disposed in an opening in a carrier. In some embodiments, the support substrate is a ceramic tile and the carrier is a low cost material with a lateral extent large enough to support a lens molded over or attached to the carrier.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier for a semiconductor light emitting device.

2. Description of Related Art

Semiconductor light-emitting devices including light emitting diodes (LEDs), resonant cavity light emitting diodes (RCLEDs), vertical cavity laser diodes (VCSELs), and edge emitting lasers are among the most efficient light sources currently available. Materials systems currently of interest in the manufacture of high-brightness light emitting devices capable of operation across the visible spectrum include Group III-V semiconductors, particularly binary, ternary, and quaternary alloys of gallium, aluminum, indium, and nitrogen, also referred to as III-nitride materials. Typically, III-nitride light emitting devices are fabricated by epitaxially growing a stack of semiconductor layers of different compositions and dopant concentrations on a sapphire, silicon carbide, III-nitride, or other suitable substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), or other epitaxial techniques. The stack often includes one or more n-type layers doped with, for example, Si, formed over the substrate, one or more light emitting layers in an active region formed over the n-type layer or layers, and one or more p-type layers doped with, for example, Mg, formed over the active region. Electrical contacts are formed on the n- and p-type regions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an LED described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,352,011, which is incorporated herein by reference. An LED 10 is mounted on a support structure 12, which may be “a ceramic submount with metal pads/leads.” A lens 22 is molded over LED 10. Lens 22 may be formed as follows: a mold in the shape of lens 22 is positioned over LED 10. The mold may be lined with a non-stick film. The mold is filled with a suitable transparent heat-curable liquid lens material such as silicone or epoxy. A vacuum seal is created between the periphery of the support structure 12 and the mold, and the two pieces are pressed against each other so that each LED die 10 is inserted into the liquid lens material and the lens material is under compression. The mold is then heated to about 150 degrees centigrade (or other suitable temperature) for a time to harden the lens material. The support structure 12 is then separated from the mold.

Support structure 12 must be significantly larger than LED 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in order to support molded lens 22. Such a large support structure may appreciably increase the cost of the device.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide a carrier for a light source.

In embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor light emitting device is mounted on a support substrate. The support substrate is disposed in an opening in a carrier. In some embodiments, the support substrate is a ceramic tile and the carrier is a low cost material with a lateral extent large enough to support a lens molded over or attached to the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art LED mounted on a support structure and covered with a molded lens.

FIG. 2 illustrates LEDs mounted on support substrates and connected to carriers.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one of the devices shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 3 minus the lens, along the axis shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an LED mounted on a support substrate and electrically connected to a carrier by wire bonds on the top surface of the support substrate. The carrier is shown mounted on a user-supplied PC board.

FIG. 6 illustrates an LED mounted on a support substrate and electrically connected to a carrier by electrical connections on the sides of the support substrate. The carrier is shown mounted on a user-supplied PC board.

FIG. 7 illustrates an LED mounted on a support substrate and connected to a carrier by connections on the top surface of the support substrate. The carrier is shown mounted on a user-supplied PC board.

FIG. 8 illustrates an LED mounted on a support substrate and connected to a carrier by connections on the top surface of the support substrate to external contacts on the carrier. The carrier is shown mounted on a user-supplied PC board.

FIG. 9 illustrates LEDs grown on a growth substrate wafer.

FIG. 10 illustrates LEDs mounted on a support substrate wafer.

FIG. 11 illustrates wavelength converting elements disposed on LEDs.

FIG. 12 illustrates LEDs mounted on support substrates and attached to carriers.

FIG. 13 illustrates lenses molded over LEDs.

FIG. 14 illustrates an LED mounted on a support substrate and positioned in an opening in a carrier.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of a carrier including features that encourage adhesion of an overmolded lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In embodiments of the invention, a light emitting device such as an LED is mounted on a support substrate such as a ceramic tile. The ceramic tile may be the minimum size necessary to mechanically support the LED, to provide electrical connection of the LED to another structure, and to provide a thermal path to spread heat from the LED. The ceramic tile is positioned in and may be attached to a carrier. The carrier may be a low cost, moldable material that is robust enough to protect the LED and ceramic tile from shock. The carrier material may be selected to withstand the conditions necessary to attach the ceramic tile to the carrier and to form or attach a lens or other structure over the LED. For example, the ceramic tile may be attached to the carrier by soldering, wire bonding, micro-soldering, micro-welding, a compliant bonding structure such as a series of metal bumps, gold-gold interconnects formed by ultrasonic or thermosonic bonding, bonding for example with silver epoxy, mechanical clamping such as spring-force clamping, or surface mounting. The support substrate may be mechanically attached to the carrier through the top or side surfaces, or through a lens formed or attached over the support substrate and carrier, leaving the bottom of the support substrate available to make electrical and/or thermal contact with another structure such as a user-supplied PC board. The device including the LED, support substrate, and carrier may be attachable to another structure such as a PC board. Examples of suitable carriers include sheet metal that may be stamped and bent into a desired shape, and plastic such as polyphthalamide (PPA). Multiple materials may be used, such as sheet metal that is attached to PPA, any other suitable type of plastic or polymer, or a dielectric insulator.

As a preliminary matter, though in the examples below the light emitting device is a III-nitride thin film flip chip LED, other light emitting devices may be used, including LEDs or other semiconductor devices made from other materials systems such as III-V materials, III-nitride materials, III-phosphide materials, III-arsenide materials, II-VI materials, and group IV materials.

A conventional III-nitride LED 10 is formed by first growing a semiconductor structure on a growth substrate. An n-type region is typically grown first and may include multiple layers of different compositions and dopant concentration including, for example, preparation layers such as buffer layers or nucleation layers, which may be n-type or not intentionally doped, release layers designed to facilitate later release of the substrate or thinning of the semiconductor structure after substrate removal, and n- or even p-type device layers designed for particular optical or electrical properties desirable for the light emitting region to efficiently emit light. A light emitting or active region is grown over the n-type region. Examples of suitable light emitting regions include a single thick or thin light emitting layer, or a multiple quantum well light emitting region including multiple thin or thick quantum well light emitting layers separated by barrier layers. A p-type region is grown over the light emitting region. Like the n-type region, the p-type region may include multiple layers of different composition, thickness, and dopant concentration, including layers that are not intentionally doped, or n-type layers.

Various techniques are used to gain electrical access to the n-type layers. Portions of the p-type layers and active layer may be etched away to expose an n-type layer for metallization. In this way the p-contact and n-contact are on the same side of the chip and can be directly electrically attached to contact pads on a suitable mount. Light may be extracted from the top surface of the device (i.e. the surface on which the contacts are formed) or from the bottom surface of the device (i.e. in a flip chip device, a device with at least one reflective contact that is flipped over relative to the growth direction). In a flip chip, the growth substrate may be removed from the semiconductor structure (a thin film device) or may remain a part of the completed device. After substrate removal, the semiconductor structure may be thinned, and the surface of the n-type region exposed by removing the substrate may be textured to improve light extraction, for example by roughening or forming a photonic crystal structure. In a vertical injection LED, an n-contact is formed on one side of the semiconductor structure, and a p-contact is formed on the other side of the semiconductor structure. Electrical contact to one of the p- or n-contacts is typically made with a wire or a metal bridge, and the other contact is directly bonded to a contact pad on the support substrate. Though the examples below include a thin film flip chip device, any suitable device structure may be used.

The LED may be mounted on a support substrate 12. Though in the examples below the support substrate 12 is a ceramic tile, any suitable support substrate 12 may be used. In some embodiments, the support substrate is a growth substrate on which the III-nitride structure is grown. In these embodiments, the LED is directly connected to the carrier without an additional support substrate.

One or more wavelength converting materials such as phosphors or dyes may be disposed over the LED. An LED combined with one or more wavelength converting materials may be used to create white light or monochromatic light of other colors. All or only a portion of the light emitted by the LED may be converted by the wavelength converting material. Unconverted light may be part of the final spectrum of light, though it need not be. Examples of common combinations include a blue-emitting LED combined with a yellow-emitting phosphor, a blue-emitting LED combined with green- and red-emitting phosphors, a UV-emitting LED combined with blue- and yellow-emitting phosphors, and a UV-emitting LED combined with blue-, green-, and red-emitting phosphors. Examples of suitable wavelength converting layers include pre-formed ceramic phosphor layers that are glued or bonded to the LED, or a powder phosphor disposed in a transparent encapsulant such as silicone that is stenciled, screen printed, sprayed, evaporated, sputtered, sedimented, dispensed, spin-coated, or otherwise positioned over the LED. Different types of wavelength converting layers may be used. Multiple wavelength converting materials may be mixed and formed in a single layer or formed as discrete layers.

FIG. 14 illustrates a device according to embodiments of the invention. A wavelength converting member 14 is positioned over an LED mounted on a support substrate 12. The support substrate is positioned in an opening in a carrier 16. The carrier illustrated in FIG. 14 may be formed from stamped and bent sheet metal.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate devices according to embodiments of the invention where electrical contact to the LED 10 is established through the bottom surface of the ceramic tile 12 on which LED 10 is mounted. FIG. 2 illustrates three LEDs 10 mounted on ceramic tiles 12. LEDs 10 are electrically and physically connected to contacts on the top of ceramic tiles 12 by any suitable interconnect such as, for example, solder or gold. A wavelength converting member 14 may be disposed on a top surface of LED 10. Each ceramic tile 12 is fit in a slot formed in a carrier 16. Ceramic tile 12 may be soldered to carrier 16 at the sides of ceramic tile 12. Lenses 22 may be molded over each LED 10. Lens 22 covers LED 10, ceramic tile 12, and all or a portion of carrier 16. Alternatively, a pre-formed lens may be attached to carrier 16 over LED 10. Electrical contacts 20 on the bottom of ceramic tile 12 permit electrical connection of LED 10 to another structure not shown in FIG. 2, such as a user's PC board. Electrical contacts 20 may be electrically connected to top contacts on ceramic tile 12 by, for example, vias formed in ceramic tile 12 which are filled with conductive material such as metal.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one of the devices of FIG. 2 after being connected to a PC board. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the structure of FIG. 3 along the axis shown in FIG. 3. PC board 17 may be a commercially available PC board that includes a heat spreading metal core 28 such as Al or Cu, an insulating layer 26 such as a dielectric, and positive and negative electrical traces 24 a and 24 b which are electrically isolated from each other by insulating layer 26. The structure 15, which includes LED 10, optional wavelength converting element 14, ceramic tile 12, contacts 20, and carrier 16, plus the lens 22 may be fabricated separately, then attached to PC board 17 as a single structure. N- and p-contacts 20 a and 20 b on ceramic tile 12 may be soldered or bonded to electrical traces 24 a and 24 b on PC board 17. Alternatively, heat spreading layer 28 may be electrically or physically connected to either n- or p-contact 20 a or 20 b and may be used with or instead of electrical traces 24 a or 24 b.

In the devices illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, heat is conducted away from LED 10 through contacts 20 on the bottom of ceramic tile 12. The electrical isolation required between the positive and negative electrical contacts 20 reduces the area on the bottom of ceramic tile 12 available for conducting heat, which may reduce the amount of heat that can be conducted away from LED 10.

In the devices illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, electrical contact to the LED 10 is established through the top surface of the ceramic tile 12, which leaves the entire bottom surface of ceramic tile 12 available to conduct heat away from LED 10. The ceramic tile 12 may be mechanically connected to carrier 16 by the electrical connection between ceramic tile 12 and carrier 16, by an adhesive or glue such as silicone, solder, or epoxy disposed between ceramic tile 12 and carrier 16, or by a lens molded or attached over ceramic tile 12 and carrier 16. In the case where a lens connects ceramic tile 12 to carrier 16, the carrier and ceramic tile need not touch each other. The devices of FIGS. 5-7 are shown mounted on PC boards.

In the devices illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the two sides 16 a and 16 b of carrier 16 may be electrically isolated from each other for example by being connected to an optional insulating element 16 c of carrier 16. Alternatively, ceramic tile 12 may be positioned in an opening in a sheet of carriers that are connected together. Electrical connections between ceramic tile 12 and carrier 16 are then formed. A lens may be molded over the carrier 16 and ceramic tile 12 to mechanically connect the carrier 16 and ceramic tile 12, or the mechanical connection between the carrier 16 and ceramic tile 12 may be the same as the electrical connection. The two sides of 16 a and 16 b of carrier 16 are then electrically isolated from each other by stamping the individual carrier out of the sheet of carriers such that the two sides of the carrier are separated.

As described above, the structure 15, including LED 10, ceramic tile 12, optional wavelength converting element 14, carrier 16, and lens 22 may be formed separately. Structure 15 is mounted by a user as a single piece on PC board 17 or any other suitable structure.

In the device of FIG. 5, ceramic tile 12 is electrically connected to carrier 16 by wire bonds 30 a and 30 b as illustrated in FIG. 5, or by micro-soldering, micro-welding, or flex foil. Wire bond 30 a may be electrically connected to one of the n- and p-contacts of LED 10 by a contact on the top surface of ceramic tile 12. Wire bond 30 b may be electrically connected to the other of the n- and p-contacts of LED 10 by a contact on the top surface of ceramic tile 12.

The sides 16 a and 16 b of carrier 16, which are electrically connected to the LED through wire bonds 30 a and 30 b to support substrate 12, may be physically and electrically connected to PC board 17 through traces 24 a and 24 b, for example by solder. Traces 24 a and 24 b are electrically isolated from each other by insulating layer 26. The bottom surface of ceramic tile 12 may be directly connected to the heat spreading layer 28 of the PC board by a thermally conductive material 27, such as, for example, solder. Ceramic tile 12 and thermally conductive material 27 form a thermal path that conducts heat away from LED 10. Since wire bonds 30 a and 30 b provide electrical connection to LED 10, thermally conductive material 27 need not be electrically conductive.

In the device of FIG. 6, ceramic tile 12 is electrically connected to carrier 16 by electrical connections 32 a and 32 b on the sides of ceramic tile 12. Electrical connections 32 a and 32 b are electrically connected to contacts on the top surface of ceramic tile on which LED 10 is mounted by, for example, traces on the top and side surfaces of ceramic tile 12 or vias through ceramic tile 12 which are filled with electrically conductive material. Electrical connections 32 a and 32 b may be, for example, solder. Connection between each side of ceramic tile 12 and carrier 16 may be accomplished in a single electrical and physical connection or in separate electrical and physical connections. As in FIG. 5, carrier 16 may be electrically and physically connected to PC board 17 through traces 24 a and 24 b and ceramic tile 12 may be directly connected to the heat spreading layer 28 of PC board 17 by a thermally conductive material 27.

In the device of FIG. 7, ceramic tile 12 is electrically connected to carrier 16 through connections 34 a and 34 b on the top surface of ceramic tile 12. Connections 34 a and 34 b may be, for example, solder, which directly connect two electrically isolated parts 16 a and 16 b of carrier 16 to contacts on the top surface of ceramic tile 12. As in FIG. 5, carrier 16 may be electrically and physically connected to PC board 17 through traces 24 a and 24 b and ceramic tile 12 may be directly connected to the heat spreading layer 28 of PC board 17 by a thermally conductive material 27. In some embodiments, connections 34 a and 34 b are formed on the bottom of a pre-formed lens that is attached over LED 10 in contact with the top surface of support substrate 12 and carrier 16.

In the device of FIG. 8, carrier 16 includes external contacts 38 a and 38 b. External contacts 38 a and 38 b are electrically connected to top contacts on ceramic tile 12 by, for example, solder. Ceramic tile 12 may be physically connected to carrier 16 by the connection to external contacts 38 a and 38 b or by a separate connection, for example at the sides of ceramic tile 12. External contacts may be electrically connected to a structure such as a PC board by, for example, screws, clips, or flex foil. Ceramic tile 12 is connected to a heat spreading layer 28, which may be part of a PC board or any other suitable structure, by thermally conductive material 27. Carrier 16 may be physically connected to heat spreading layer 28 by, for example, solder or any other suitable connection. Optional shims 36 may be disposed between heat spreading layer 28 and carrier 16 to position carrier 16 at the appropriate height.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-8, the carrier may be thin enough that the top surface of the wavelength converting element 14 or LED 10 is at a higher elevation than the top surface of the carrier, and/or the bottom surface of the support substrate is at a lower elevation than the bottom surface of the carrier. In some embodiments, the difference between the elevation of the bottom of the carrier and the bottom of the support substrate is selected to accommodate a structure such as a PC board. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, a PC board includes a metal core 28, an insulating layer 26, and traces 24 a and 24 b. The difference between the elevation of the bottom of the carrier and the bottom of the support substrate is selected such that the support substrate rests on or is easily connected to the metal core, while the carrier rests on or is easily connected to the traces, for example by solder or any other suitable electrically conductive connection.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate forming devices according to embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 9, LEDs 10 are grown on a growth substrate 40. Wafer-scale processing of LEDs 10, such as, in the case of a flip chip, etching to form a mesa that exposes a portion of the n-type region and forming n- and p-type contacts, may be performed at this stage. The wafer shown in FIG. 9 may be diced into individual LEDs.

In FIG. 10, LEDs 10 are mounted on a wafer of support substrates 12 such as ceramic tiles, for example by soldering or thermosonic bonding of gold-gold interconnects. Any necessary structure 42 on the support substrate 12, such as through-vias or electrical contacts, may be formed before or after mounting LEDs 10 on support substrates 12.

In FIG. 11, wavelength converting elements 14 are disposed on LEDs 10. Wavelength converting elements 14 may be, for example, pre-formed ceramic phosphor sheets that are glued or bonded to LEDs 10, or powder phosphor that is electrophoretically deposited, sprayed, sedimented, evaporated, or sputtered, or mixed with a transparent binder material that is stenciled, screen printed, sprayed, sedimented, spin-coated, or deposited over LEDs 10. An optional side coating 44 may be formed on wavelength converting element 14 and LED 10 if necessary, for example to reduce the amount of light that escapes through the sides of wavelength converting element 14 and LED 10.

The wafer of support substrates 12 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may then be diced into individual devices. Multiple LEDs may be formed on a single support substrate. Each support substrate 12 is positioned in an opening in a carrier. The support substrate may optionally be directly connected to the carrier, for example by solder or adhesive disposed on the sides of support substrate 12. Multiple support substrates can be connected to a single carrier. Electrical connections to LED 10 are formed. Though the electrical connections shown in FIG. 12 are wire bonds 30 a and 30 b, any suitable electrical connection such as the electrical connections described in reference to FIGS. 2-8 may be used.

In some embodiments, support substrates 12 are attached to carrier 16 on a non-adhesive work surface, such as Teflon, to prevent adhesive such as silicone used to attach carrier 16 to support substrate 12 from attaching to the work surface. In some embodiments, indentations may be formed in the work surface which align with the support substrates 12, to position the bottoms of support substrates 12 at a lower elevation than the bottoms of carriers 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 and described above.

In FIG. 13, lenses 22 are molded over LEDs 10, or a pre-formed lens is attached over LEDs 10. Lenses 22 may be formed, for example, by overmolding as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,352,011. In some embodiments, an overmolded lens attaches the carrier to the support substrate. Lenses may be formed over multiple LEDs disposed on a single carrier. Lens 22 may be any suitable shape, and may cover multiple LEDs. In some embodiments, lenses 22 are attached such that a gap, often filled with air, is disposed between the LED and the lens. In some embodiments, a structure that is not a lens is molded over or attached over LED 10, to protect LED 10, or no structure or lens is provided over LED 10, support substrate 12, and carrier 16.

In some embodiments, features which improve the adhesion of an over-molded lens may be included on carrier 16, as illustrated in FIG. 15. For example, the top surface of carrier 16 may be roughened or patterned with features 48. An undercut opening 46 may be formed in carrier 16. Lens material may fill undercut opening 46 during the molding process, which may secure the molded lens to carrier 16.

Embodiments of the invention may have advantages over other light sources. The support substrate is generally expensive relative to the carrier. The size of the support substrate is reduced in embodiments of the invention, which may reduce the cost of the device. In embodiments where electrical contact to the LED is made through the top surface of the support substrate, the bottom surface of the support substrate is available as a thermal path to conduct heat away from the LED, which may improve light output from the device. The carrier, support substrate and LED, and lens are formed into a single unit which may then be mounted by a user, for example on a PC board. Top-surface contacts such as wire bonds and the lens may be formed not by the user, but rather under conditions that can be tightly controlled, which may prevent damage to the contacts and may prevent variation in the color of light emitted in the device caused by a user-applied lens.

Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, given the present disclosure, modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept described herein. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described. 

1. A structure comprising: a semiconductor light emitting device; a support substrate, wherein the semiconductor light emitting device is mounted on the support substrate; and a carrier having an opening, wherein the support substrate is disposed in the opening and the support substrate is mechanically connected to the carrier through at least one of a top surface of the support substrate and a side surface of the support substrate; wherein a bottom surface of the carrier is disposed at a higher elevation than a bottom surface of the support substrate.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support substrate is ceramic.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support substrate is electrically connected to the carrier by wire bonds formed on top surfaces of the support substrate and the carrier.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support substrate is electrically connected to the carrier by electrical connections disposed on a top surface of the support substrate.
 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support substrate is electrically connected to the carrier by electrical connections disposed on at least one side surface of the support substrate.
 6. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a lens disposed over the semiconductor light emitting device, wherein a bottom surface of the lens contacts the carrier.
 7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the lens has a lateral extent larger than the support substrate.
 8. The structure of claim 6 wherein the lens is attached to the carrier.
 9. The structure of claim 6 wherein the lens is molded over the semiconductor light emitting device, support substrate, and carrier.
 10. The structure of claim 9 wherein the lens mechanically connects the support substrate to the carrier.
 11. The structure of claim 9 further comprising an additional opening in the carrier, wherein the additional opening undercuts a surface of the carrier, and wherein lens material is disposed in the additional opening during molding.
 12. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support substrate is configured to have a thermally conductive path from the semiconductor light emitting device to a bottom surface of the support substrate.
 13. The structure of claim 1 wherein the opening extends through an entire thickness of the carrier.
 14. The structure of claim 1 wherein: a wavelength converting element is attached to the semiconductor light emitting device; and a top surface of the wavelength converting element is disposed at a higher elevation than a top surface of the carrier.
 15. A method comprising: providing a semiconductor light emitting device mounted on a support substrate; positioning the support substrate in an opening in a carrier such that a bottom surface of the carrier is disposed at a higher elevation than a bottom surface of the support substrate; and mechanically connecting the carrier to the support substrate through at least one of a top surface of the support substrate and a side surface of the support substrate.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein mechanically connecting the carrier to the support substrate comprises gluing the carrier to the support substrate.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein mechanically connecting the carrier to the support substrate comprises molding a lens over the carrier and support substrate. 